Lehigh University is joining a delegation of American universities, sponsored by the Institute of International Education and the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, to establish new partnerships with Thailand's public universities.
About Lehigh University
Founded in 1865 and now recognized among the premier research universities in the United States, Lehigh University offers a rigorous academic experience for more than 7,000 students. Lehigh is a private university with five colleges: The College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Health, and the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Lehigh is consistently ranked by national publications as among the top 50 universities in the U.S., putting it in the top 1% of the 5,000+ colleges and universities in the United States. Among its key features are its innovative and rigorous academic programs, its vibrant and diverse campus community, and its commitment to strengthening its recognition as a premier teaching and research institution worldwide.
Lehigh University is located in the Lehigh Valley, which includes Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, and is the third largest metropolitan area in Pennsylvania. Lehigh is conveniently located within one hour of Philadelphia and 1 ½ hours of New York City.
Global Lehigh
Since its founding, Lehigh University has fostered strong connections with the world beyond its campus. In 1868—just three years after opening its doors—Lehigh welcomed its first international students, beginning a long-standing tradition of global engagement. During the 2024–2025 academic year, the university hosted 989 international students from 91 countries and 140 scholars representing 42 countries. That same year, 789 Lehigh students participated in 825 study abroad experiences, and 42% of students had completed at least one international experience by graduation. The university also sponsors several distinctive international programs:
- Global Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives
- Iacocca International Internship Program
- International Center for Academic and Professional English (ICAPE)
- United Nations Partnership
- Creative Inquiry Mountaintop Initiatives and the Global Social Impact Fellows
In 2021, Lehigh received the Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization, an honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that are making significant, well-planned, well-executed, and well-documented progress toward comprehensive internationalization—especially those using innovative and creative approaches.
Global Lehigh Strategic Initiatives outlines our approach to comprehensive internationalization, integrating an international and intercultural perspective across all aspects of teaching, research, and service.
Global Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives serves as the central point of contact and coordination for international activities undertaken by Lehigh’s colleges and units, as well as for external institutions seeking to engage with Lehigh University.
Lehigh Collaboration in Thailand
Lehigh in Thailand is seeking academic collaborations that advance scholarship in alignment with Lehigh University’s Strategic Plan, which emphasizes interdisciplinary research, innovation, global impact, and the development and implementation of pragmatic solutions to complex real-world challenges through research and scholarship.
Lehigh University is deeply committed to advancing transnational education (TNE) through active partnerships, collaborative degree programs, and innovative learning models that connect students and faculty across borders. Lehigh brings these priorities to life through a vibrant network of research centers and institutes, where interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative solutions take shape.
A strong example of this commitment can be seen in the Center for Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience, the Center for Advancing Community Electrification Solutions, and the Children’s Environmental Precision Health Institute (CEPH)—each advancing global impact through research, education, and community engagement.
Particular opportunities include:
- Research and internship opportunities with Thai universities and NGOs
- Dual degrees
- English language preparation programs offered through ICAPE
- COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) and virtual exchange
- Graduate studies at Lehigh, especially in Engineering areas
Contributing Lehigh leadership on collaboration in Thailand
Cheryl Matherly, Ed.D.
Dr. Cheryl Matherly is Vice President/Vice Provost for International Affairs. Dr. Cheryl Matherly is the vice president and vice provost for international affairs at Lehigh University. She serves as the university’s senior international officer and is charged with providing strategic leadership for its numerous international education programs. She is the past president of the Association for International Education Administrators, and was named Senior International Officer of the Year by the Institute of International Education in 2020. She is an inaugural member of the American Academy of International Education. Dr. Matherly has written extensively on the relationship between employability and education abroad. She is recognized for her leadership on issues related to international internships and experiential learning. She has an Ed.D. in education from the University of Houston.
Stacy Burger, M.Ed.
Stacy Burger is the Director of Global Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives at Lehigh University, where she manages international partnerships, oversees global engagement data, and maintains the Global Engagement Directory. She also administers Lehigh’s Virtual International Exchange, manages internationalization grants, and supports global engagement opportunities for faculty and staff. Dedicated to advancing professional collaboration in the field, she co-founded and co-chairs the IIE-powered Community of Practice: International Partnerships Professionals in Higher Education. Stacy brings more than 18 years of experience in education, having taught high school Spanish and lived abroad in Spain and Germany. She holds a B.A. in Spanish (Education) from Ithaca College and an M.Ed. in Instructional Technology from Lehigh University.
Anand Ramamurthi, Ph.D.
Dr. Anand Ramamurthi is Chair of the Department of Bioengineering and Senior Advisor for Global Strategy (India) in International Affairs at Lehigh University. He has pioneered the field of matrix engineering, developing breakthrough nanotherapeutic platforms to restore structure and function of diseased elastic tissues. His innovations have transformed treatment paradigms for vascular and soft tissue disorders, advancing from surgical intervention to non-invasive regenerative repair. With $12 million in federal and private research funding to date, and multiple patents, his technologies have reached pre-clinical validation with clear pathways to clinical application. Dr. Ramamurthi has revolutionized bioengineering education at Lehigh, establishing industry-aligned MS programs and AI-enhanced curricula that have significantly grown graduate enrollment. He has nearly 90 publications, has delivered more than 450 presentations, and mentored approximately 50 graduates, which demonstrate his sustained scientific leadership. He brings extensive international expertise in fostering academic partnerships and advancing biomedical innovation globally.
Leah Mason, Ed.D.
Dr. Leah Mason is Deputy Director of the Iacocca Institute, Director of the Iacocca International Internship Program at Lehigh University, and an accomplished author in the field of international higher education. Her areas of expertise are at the intersection of student mobility and career readiness, with a keen interest in elevating the experiences and voices of niche groups within international education, such as first-generation college students, language learners, and internship participants. She has presented her research globally at conferences, in panel discussions, and through invited talks. Before joining Lehigh, Dr. Mason served as the Institute of International Education's Deputy Director of Research, Evaluation, and Learning, leading key research initiatives, including Project Atlas, Global Workforce Pathways, and the Global Education Research Report series. Dr. Mason was a 2022-2023 Education Policy Fellow at the Institute of Educational Leadership and is a capstone advisor and adjunct instructor at Georgetown University. She holds an EdD and EdM from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Engineering Programs at Lehigh University
LEHIGH'S THAI ALUMNI NETWORK DEMONSTRATES LASTING GLOBAL IMPACT
August 26, 2025
Lehigh’s partnership with the Royal Thai Scholars Program has created a strong alumni network in Thailand, where graduates now lead major government agencies, research institutes, and universities in science and technology.
You can read more about this here.